The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-25
A YOUNG MANS SAD FALL.
A PETTED IDOL OF GERMAN so
CIETY IN ABJEoT DISGRACE.
Charles Borbein. tho Tennessee Brew
ing Company's Defaultipg Bookkeeper,
Poverty Stricken and Willing To Be
Punished.

The advent Of the Tennessee brewing
company into Memphis marked the be-
ginning of an interesting life history. With
the company came prepossesslng, dap
per-looking, intelligent young German
named Charles Borbein. The son of
well-to-do, respectable and intelligent
parents, who reside in st. Louis, he was
regarded as the soul Of honor, with
bright future before him. President John
w. Schorr, and, in fact, the entire COM
pany, trusted him implicitly, placed him
in full charge of the books of the concern,
and never once entertained the idea of
investigating his accounts. For four
or five years affairs logged along Sc
renely, the brewery disposed of all its
manufacture and the returns were hand
some and satisfactory.
During all this time Barbein was cut
ting a wide swath in his social circle, his
acquaintance became steadfast friends, and
he was veritable lion with the entire Ger
man element so far as he saw proper to afiil-
late. He joined the various clubs, met every
financial requirement, lived in ease and
comfort-in short, enjoyed life for all it
was worth. Last April he conceived the
happy idea OF visiting the old world, the
first time since he landed on the shores Of
| America, when mere youth. "You have
served us long and faithfully" said the
managers in response to his request for
vacation, 'and we are delighted to lot you
enjoy season OF rest and pleasure" Two
OF them were more than delighted, and
made the young bookkeeper q present Of $50
each, After he had departed ii became
necessary to appoint a temporary success
sor. When the latter opened the books,
preparatory to entering upon his duties,
he could make neither heads nor tails OF
the various accounts. In despair, he
acquainted his employees with the situa-
ton, and an expert accountant was called
in. An investigation followed, resulting in
| the discovery that the voyaging B0rbein
was short nearly 5000. A few weeks ago
he returned TO America, learned OF what
probably awaited him should he again APP
pear in Memphis, and halted In New
York. At first he strenuously denied, by
NAL, the charge OF deialcaton, and
claimed that he could fully explain the
discrepancy. To do this, however, he
made no movement toward the scene.
The expert, in answer, forwarded a few
accounts M they appeared ON the
books, and asked him, as an evil
dence Of his sincerity, to clear
up the mystery surrounding them. The
test was too much, and in few days let
ter was received from him stating that in
the face Of tho evidence against him he
might as well confess, which he did. In
the same letter the unfortunate young
man said he had just pawned his last ex-
ira coat for money TO satisfy the demands
OF his landlord. The last tidings from the
young man, which came day or
two since, were 10 the effect that he
could no longer endure the idea Of
roaming over the country marked crimi-
nal and tramp, and begging that II his
friends could do nothing 20 relieve him, To-
let the matter 90 into the proper court, and
he would return 20 Memphis, plead guilty
10 every charge and accept the punish
ment. The company be robbed generous
ly decided 10 let the matter rest where II
is, and will not prosecute him.